Cambridge Bay wrestler Eekeeluak Avalak became the first Nunavut athlete to win a gold medal at the Canada Summer Games underway in Niagara Falls, Ont. ''It was my moment,' Avalak said.
CBC RadioEekeeluak Avalak, right, has become the first Nunavut athlete to win gold at the Canada Summer Games.'It was my moment,' says wrestler who won Nunavut's 1st Canada Summer Games gold, he says he channeled strength from his coach, his family, his territory and his ancestors.
First off, big congratulations on winning Nunavut's first-ever gold medal at the Canada Summer Games. How are you feeling? I wasn't trying to think of the gold medal during the match. I was just thinking: Go in there, fight, keep taking the centre, and show him, hey, this is going to be my moment and you're not going to take it away. And that's exactly what I did, and I came out on top.As time passed [and] the time limit shortened, of course my confidence grew. Like I said, I just had to keep my composure and I just had to let him know: Hey, I'm here to fight.
Violet, Johnny and Eekeeluak Avalak with a photo of Eekeeluak's late brother, Joanasie, to whom he dedicated his gold medal win.